We are joined by Mycologist Neil Gow who has formal training in mycology, especially in relation to infectious fungi. On today's show, we look at fungi through the lens of pathogenic interactions with humans. Which fungi are most likely to cause a human zombie apocalypse? What happens when you inject psilocybin tea into your veins? 

Although his research is on combating fungal infections, Neil is a big time mycophile with jaw dropping information on this impressive kingdom of life. 

Topics covered:

• Common fungal infections in humans 
• The status of research and understanding of pathogenic fungi, esp with humans
• Why are fungal infections so hard to treat?
• What are the mechanisms of fungal infection in humans?
• Mucormycosis or the "black fungus" outbreaks 
• The pervasiveness of candida
• Evolution of drug resistant fungi 
• Case Study: Intravenous Injection of Psilocybin
• The morbid question: which fungal species are most likely to cause zombie humans?
• Forensic mycology and microbiology
• Prevalence of fungal products
• The mycobiome and mutualism between human and fungal species

Show notes:

What is this field of Mycology?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3farm1uFrbI

Neil Gow's Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neil-Gow-2

The Genus Plague: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33946360-the-genius-plague

A “Trip” to the ICU: An Intravenous Injection of Psilocybin: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S266729602030015Xv

ECMM: https://www.ecmm.info/fecmm/fellows/gow-neil/

WHO Data on Fungal Infections: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278517/


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